Apple introduces new iMacs, MacBook and Mac Mini

You knew that Apple wasn’t going to just sit by and let Microsoft hog the spotlight this week with the release of Windows 7. The smart money was on Cupertino either reducing prices or introducing new updated machines aimed at undercutting any perceived price advantage for Windows computers.

Apple stayed true to form, updating a host of machines while generally maintaining prices, as is its usual form. The iMac line got a size boost with new 21.5 (Starting at $1,199) and 27-inch ($1,699) models replacing their 20 and 24-inch predecessors. The all-in-one computers got faster processors, more LED backlighting for its larger 16:9 screens and a new Magic Mouse which offers multi-touch capability for gesture control.

The MacBook ($999)gets a multi-touch track pad, longer battery life and an LED backlit screen, features pulled from the MacBook Pro line. And the Mac Mini ($599)also got a much-needed refresh with more speed, storage and memory.

It’s a nice package of updates that is meant to give consumers a little more to think about come Thursday when Windows 7 goes on sale. What was not mentioned was any changes to the MacBook Pro line, which got refreshed earlier this summer. The new iMacs and Mac Minis are available now. IMacs outfitted with Intel Core i5 and i7 quad-core processors will be available in November.

Here’s some info from Apple on the updated hardware and their base configurations.

The new 21.5-inch 3.06 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes:

* 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display;

* 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;

* 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;

* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;

* 500GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

* a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);

Apple now offers a $999 Mac mini that is specially configured with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard® Server. Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server features two 500GB hard drives for a total of 1TB of server storage in the tiny 6.5-inch square by 2-inch tall Mac mini enclosure.